6000 Wind power stations threats nature tourism?

Let me start by stating I´m pro-windpower. However, I´m afraid the intensity of wind power development in Sweden will affect the nature tourism industry seriously. I´d really appreciate your comments on this.

Last year The Swedish Energy Agency decided upon a new goal for Swedish wind power, by 2020 it should be 30 TWH/year. This means within 10 years the production of wind power energy will be 20 times bigger than today. They estimate up to 6000 wind power stations has to be built until 2020, which is about setting up a new one every second working day until 2016.

To my surprise, Swedish travel & tourism authorities doesn´t seem to have been involved in the planning process. Neither Nutek (The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth), VisitSweden or The Swedish Ecotourism Society have been consultive body in the preceding studies and investigations, thus leaving the effects on nature tourism unnoticed.

Naturvårdsverket (The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) managed to protect the nature reserves and some other sensible areas, but left the tourism aspects to the County Administrative boards – who delegated it to the local municipalities´ decision.

I´m afraid that if the wind power development continues so rapidly without considering the effects on nature tourism many of our yet non-developed wilderness regions will be more or less disqualified for future tour production. Protecting the nature reserves are not enough.

From my point of view, tourism is not a local decision. It´s a question of what our guests wants to see and experience. Caring for the local voters´ best or the municipality-owned wind power companys´ success isn´t always the same as creating good preconditions for sustainable development of internationally salable travel- & tourism products. A local tourism entrepreneur, providing only a part of a tour, is not in a position to negotiate with landowners, the local polititians or wind power companies where a power station park should or not should be located.

Therefore, I´d like to see VisitSweden or The Ecotourism Society to step in and apply a tour operators´ perspective wherever a windfarm is planned.

Now, would you still consider fishing, trekking, hunting, canoeing etc. in a wilderness with a windfarm nearby, or would you choose another destination? It would be interesting to get your opinions on this , so please feel free to write a comment.

Are you actually an Eco-Tourist?

Well, are you always ready to take the first road out? Do you love outdoor adventure and thrills: Rock –climbing, Trekking Expeditions, White Water Rafting, Skiing, Nature Trails, Wildlife Safaris and more. Do you believe that there’s an exciting new world waiting to be explored? If, yes, than, you definitely are an ardent traveler and nature lover. But, wait; does that make you an eco-tourist? Read this and find out for yourself!


"Just joining tour operators, who promise eco-tourism does not make one an eco-tourist. This is a concept which has to be believed and felt from within."

says Aloke Bajpai, CEO, The Explorers, a Mumbai based Adventure tour outlet.

Going on nature trails and exploring natures’ unexplored and virgin beauty is not enough, practicing eco-friendliness is equally important. Many travellers litter garbage, plastic bags and bottles on the way without giving it a second thought. Keeping the surroundings clean and pure is an important part of eco-tourism.

Besides, paying up a huge some of money to a travel outlet which takes care of all your needs and also plans your trip, it sometimes bars you from a lot of amazing experience. According to the Kiwi travel writer, Heather Hapeta, ‘Eco-tourism is an activity that has minimum impact while providing maximum benefits to the locals.’ He opines that independent travellers are most likely the closest to being real eco-travellers. By staying in cheaper, locally-owned accommodation, eating at small food outlets and using local transport, they leave much of their travel money in the country. Not only this. By doing so, they also get to visit places that are not on the tourist trail and can get to know people and absorb the local flavours. So, are you ready for an actual eco-tour?